The “Killer Heels” exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum provides an all-too appropriate historical account and celebration of the high-heeled shoe.

The exhibit, which opened in the midst of Fashion Week on Sept. 10, provides eye-opening background information on a common shoe in its various forms. “Killer Heels” presents a history of the shoe from its beginning as a signifier of class to its present-day artistry and association with femininity. The exhibit brings together shoes from different eras an

d standout shoes from designer collections. It shows pieces from some of the biggest names in footwear, including Manolo Blahnik, Salvatore Ferragamo, Miu Miu, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Chanel.

“I never realized you could put so much historical significance in a shoe,” CAS sophomore Christina Hong said. “I’m a history major and, as a historian, you don’t really think of shoes as being that vehicle to communicate anything from the past.”

The museum also commissioned six short films by Ghada Amer and Reza Farkhondeh; Marilyn Minter; Zach Gold; Rashaad Newsome; Steven Klein; and Nick Knight, which present the shoes in different ways. Knight’s “La Douleur Exquise” is a visual representation of the romanticism associated with heels, including specially made glass slippers by Georgina Goodman and Max Jacquard.

High heels at the exhibit were featured for their political significance as well as their cultural importance. “Healing Fukushima (Nonohana Heels),” created in collaboration with artist and designer Sputniko! and shoe designer Masaya Kushino, is inspired by the nuclear disaster of Fukushima in 2011.

The shoes themselves are an example of mechanical mastery. As the wearer of the shoe walks, radiation-absorbing seeds are planted through the heel into the ground.

Such innovative use of technology is celebrated in the showcase, which features 3-D printed heels as well as ones made of glass, plastic, metal, fishing wire and other unconventional materials.

“Killer Heels” includes an element of view participation by allowing the attendee to describe how they viewer the symbolism of the high heel. Audience reactions like beautiful, powerful and sexy, as well as painful and too high, are posted throughout the exhibit.

Overall, the display brings a surprising weight to a shoe, displaying high heels as a symbolic item and a vehicle for creativity. From the craft of classic leather slingbacks to gravity-defying moon shoes, the heels are celebrated and analyzed to cement the works.

The exhibition will run until Feb. 15.

A version of this article appeared in the Monday, Sept. 15 print edition. Email Kari Sonde at [email protected].